Circuit closing device



June 2, 1936.

F. c. TWIST 2,042,915

CIRCUIT CLOSING DEVICE Filed May 14, 1954 Patented June 2, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application May 14,

2 Claims.

rI'his invention pertains to circuit closing devices for use particularly with signaling means for automobiles by which to automatically display a signal known to correspond with the direction in which the vehicle may be moving. More particularly the invention relates to means for automatically indicating at the rear of an automobile whether the latter is moving in a forward or rearward direction.

l0- The main object of the invention is to automatically indicate a driver of a vehicle the direction in which a vehicle ahead of him may be moving as a safety measure.

Another object is to automatically indicate in which direction a standing vehicle is to move,

such indication being apparent almost immediately such vehicle starts movement, so that persons in the rear thereof may govern themselves accordingly.

Still another object is that a vehicle can never start ahead nor move rearwardly without first and almost at once automatically showing the direction of travel contemplated by its driver.

To the end that my invention may be fully understood I have provided the appended drawing showing a preferred means of accomplishing the purpose of the invention, it being understood, however, that equivalent means may be used. In said drawing, Figure 1 is a diagram of a lighting circuit showing my invention in connection therewith.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional elevation of the rear axle and axle-housing of an automobile showing my invention as used therewith, the latter being shown in longitudinal section.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of part of an axle-housing, and part of the axle of an automobile showing my invention in longitudinal section.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of part of a tubular member entering into the invention showing therewith a slightly different position of operating parts as compared with Figure 2,

j and Figure 5 shows in perspective certain associated parts illustrated in the earlier figures.

As a safety measure it is quite desirable, if not in fact necessary that persons in the rear of a vehicle be apprized of the direction of movement of such vehicle contemplated by the driver thereof. With this end in view I have devised the means by which this can be done automatically and with absolute certainty within but a few inches of movement of such vehicle.

1934, Serial No. 725,522

In the drawing the rear axle and axle-housing of a vehicle are denoted by I and 2, respectively, A tubular member 3 is threaded at one end and screwed into an opening 4 made in the wall of the housing in such position that a line extend- 5 ing through the longest axis of the member will extend through the axis of the said axle whereby an operating stem of the device will have equal travel in either direction therewith, and preferably a lock-nut 5 serves to secure the member in 10l fixed position with respect to said axle-housing.

Within the member 3 is mounted any suitable form of snap-switch arrangement by which to accomplish the purpose of the invention, an efficient type thereof being illustrated herein. It 15 may comprise a pair of spaced links 6, for example, freely mounted at one of their ends and in this instance rock about a shaft 'I suitably journaled between the opposite walls of the member 3 as by screws 8, for example, there being pivoted 20 to the opposite ends of the links 6 spaced arms 9 of a guide I.

The end of the guide opposite its pivoted end lies near the threaded extremity of the member opening II in that end through which a stem I2 is longitudinally slidable, one end thereof carrying an arcuate cross-head or shoe I3, its other end being slidable through the said shaft 1 as best shown in Figure 3, the curve of said shoe 30 being part of a circle described from the axis of the said shaft I, by preference, the outer face thereof abutting the axle I and adapted to roll thereupon, there being a spring I4 surrounding the stem between the shoe and the end of the guide IB and under compression between the two whereby the said shoe is maintained in intimate frictional engagement with the said axle I to roll therewith in any reversal of rotation thereof, the stem I2 being preferably squared, for example, 40 where it extends through the shaft 1 whereby to preserve the relation of the shoe I3 and axle I shown in Figure 2.

Mounted upon opposite walls of the member 3 are binding posts I5, I5 suitably insulated therefrom and each having a terminal portion within the bore of said member. A conductor I6 connects the post I5 with a lamp I'I, the other side of the lamp being connected by a wire I8 with the battery I9 of the vehicle, for example, which in turn is grounded on the axle-housing or the vehicle frame, not shown, in a customary way by a conductor I9. Likewise the post I5 by a Conductor 20 is connected to a lamp 2I whose other 55 a and therefore nearest the axle I and has an 25v side is connected with said battery I9 by ccnductor 22.

The guide Il] is free to rock within and with respect to the stem I2 due to the fact that the Mounted adjacent each of the posts I5, I5 is a post 23, 2li, respectively, also insulated from see dotted lines, Figure 2, nected with the post I5 and the post 24 with the post I5.

In Figure 2 assume that clockwise as denoted that the shoe I3 lies the axle I is rotating by the arrow. It is seen in the position shown in L of moving in a rearward direction. Now, also assume that the vehicle has been reversed in direction of travel, or moving axle I rotates contra-clockdrawing. The shoe I3 now moves toward the dotted line position whereupon the arms 9 of the guide I 0 and the links 6 strike in the opposite direction due to the fulcruming action, carrying such place of connection beyond the line of the stem I 2 whereupon the toggle The posts 23 and 24 are cross-connected as a matter of preference, only, in that, for example, the instant the circuit post I5 in the same circuit. result, of course, in showing the red light in the opposite action of the parts.

I may not use this cross-connection of the posts but such an arrangement that there is no flickering of the lights during changes in position of the toggle parts. other means may be used within the member 3 to act as fulcrums in place of the posts 23, 24.

of binding posts for conveying current or not, any inner extension will serve as a fulcrum to aid in obtaining the snap action of the parts.

In some of the claims I shall refer to the Structure made up of the guide I 0, the links 6 and the stem I2 nected electrically w said rst named terminals.

FREDERICK C. TWIST. 

